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5430 Jaeger Rd
Naples, FL 34109
800.346.0732
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Copyright © 1995-2008
www.naplestech.com
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 NTI has compiled this FAQ section from
many years of customer feedback
and our own engineer's personal "Tech Notes". We hope you find it informative
and helpful. If you have any questions always feel free to
contact us
we would be happy to speak with you directly. Check back often as this site
is continually updated.
* If you are having difficulty
installing looking for a multi monitor system, see our
QuadStation
Pro. A complete multi monitor system preconfigured and shipped right
to your door.
FireMV Install Procedure
Prior to installing your new video card(s) please follow these
important instructions so your install goes smoothly:
Pre-existing video card. Is it separate or on the motherboard?
- Determine whether or not you have an "on board" (part of your
motherboard) video card or a separate video card (in a slot by itself).
The easiest way without opening the case is to look at the back of your
computer. If your monitor cable plugs in near your mouse and keyboard
near all other PC connections, it is onboard. If not then most likely
you have a separate video card.
- Determine what TYPE of existing video card you have. Remember, the
ATI FireMV line will ONLY work with other ATI products. If you
have another brand video card, nVidia, GeForce etc, it must be removed
(if separate) or disabled in BIOS (see below) prior to install or you
will not have video. If it is an ATI product you can leave this card in
as it should be compatible with the FireMV line.
- If your video is part of your motherboard, see
Changing primary video in BIOS
section below for further instructions.
- If your video is a separate card, simply shut down your system,
remove the existing video card making note of
which slot it was
installed into. Normally no BIOS setting changes are needed if you have
a separate video card.
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Changing primary video in
BIOS
- To change your Primary Video Adapter in your BIOS consult your
motherboard or PC manufacturer. For most PCs here is how it is done:
- Reboot your PC and watch carefully for the HOTKEY to enter setup, it
only appears for about 2 seconds so be on your toes when rebooting.
Normally F1, F2, or DEL.
- Once you are in the BIOS screen you will have no mouse so use your
arrow keys to navigate to the tab with the option referencing Primary
Video Adapter or something to that affect.
- Change this setting to the type of video card that you want your PC
to recognize FIRST when booting. For example, PCI, PCI Express etc.
TECHNOTE: Only change your BIOS to another video adapter when you
are ready to shut down the PC and install your new FireMV video card.
Once you change your video setting the card MUST be installed that you
told BIOS to look for before you reboot the PC or your will have
no video. Also, some BIOS settings may not have a specific setting for
your video slot, as they are all different. You may only have an AUTO
setting which should be fine.
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Which slot is which?
- A quick way to tell which slot is which is by color. PCI slots are
white, PCI Express (aka PCIe) slots are black, and older AGP slots are
brown. We have heard of an orange PCIe slot also.
- PCI Express comes in several sizes, x1, x8, x16 for example.
- If you purchased a FireMV 2200/2250 PCI Express card that will only work
in a x16 PCIe slot. If you purchased a FireMV 2400 PCI Express card
it is recommended that it only be installed in a x1, x4, or x8 PCIe slot,
not x16. If you purchased a FireMV 2400 PCI
card it will only work in a PCI slot. Also make sure your card is the
Primary video adapter in your BIOS (see above).
TECHNOTE: Do not attempt to install in a slot that the card is not
intended for as it may damage the card and void your warranty.
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Microsoft .NET 2.0 framework
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Installing your new
FireMV video card
- OK you know whether you have onboard or a separate video card, your
BIOS is set (if applicable), you know which slot you are installing your
new FireMV card into, and your system is shut down with the power cable
unplugged from the back.
TECHNOTE: Even after you unplug the power cable, hit the ON button
on the front of the PC for a couple seconds to release the residual
"pent up" power that is still on the motherboard to prevent damage to
your new card.
- Secure your new FireMV card in the appropriate slot and secure the
FireMV pigtail cables on the back of the card.
- Connect your monitors to the cables. If you have a 4 port card but
only have 3 monitors, that is ok just connect what you have.
TECHNOTE: To prevent confusion connect your cables in the
appropriate order. You want monitor 1 connected the the monitor 1 cable
on your FireMV card for example. This is detailed in your FireMV
documentation.
- Boot the PC and have your FireMV install CD handy.
TECHNOTE: IMPORTANT ! When you first boot Window XP will most
likely launch the "Found new Hardware Wizard". CANCEL on all of
these prompts. You need to run the install from the provided FireMV
install CD to prevent issues. You will get prompted once for each of the
displays on your card. For example if you have a 4 port FireMV card that
prompt will come up 4 times, CANCEL 4 times.
- Insert your FireMV install CD, the setup wizard will automatically
launch. Click on the Catalyst Control Center install option to
begin the driver install. If you installed the .NET framework your
install should go very smoothly, follow the prompts and your PC will be
rebooted.
TECHNOTE: If you get prompted during install for .NET framework
you have not installed .NET prior to install. Cancel and go back to
Microsoft .NET framework section
and download before proceeding.
- After your drivers have been installed your monitors should all
light up. Give it a few minutes to finish loading after reboot then go
to your Display Properties by RIGHT clicking (that was a RIGHT
click) on your desktop and choose Properties, then Settings.
- You will see all of monitors represented by icons (see below). For a
4 port card you will see 4 monitor icons for example. If all of monitors
are connected, you will see all for icons illuminated. If you have no
video on one or more (example monitor #4 in pic below) you have to
enable that monitor. Proceed to step 8.
- In this example you would SELECT monitor #4 by single clicking on
it. Then put a checkmark in the option to "Extend my Windows Desktop
onto this Monitor". Hit Apply and OK and that monitor should now light
up.
- Resolution settings are completely independent for each display. To
adjust these settings, select monitor #1 for example and change the
resolution to your preference. Repeat for EACH of the other displays.
- To determine which monitors are
which, click on the Identify button in display properties. A
large white number will appear on each monitor for about 2 seconds. If
your monitors are in the wrong order, you have 2 choices. Either connect
them correctly on the FireMV cables, which is easiest, or drag and drop
the monitor to the correct location is display properties.
TECHNOTE: If your monitors are arranged 2 over 2 for example,
this is where you make those adjustments. Just drag monitors 1 and 2
over top of 3 and 4 for example. If you are using widescreens the video
card will recognize that and offer special widescreen options for those
types of displays.
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Move an
application to a specific monitor
- The newest version of a utility called ATI HydraVision has a
function called "Move to Monitor" which will allow you to do this and
much more.
- Click here to
download
HydraVision
- Click here to download
HydraVision User Guide
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Spanning across multiple
displays
- In Catalyst Control Center you can span a single image across
displays up to 4 only. Beyond that you need third party software like
Ultramon.
Note this is only when you want to stretch your desktop across multiple
monitors, it have nothing to do with the total number of independent
displays you can have.
- You must have
Microsoft .NET
Framework installed prior to downloading and installing the Catalyst
Control Center
TECHNOTE: When displays are spanned
the taskbar is spanned also. Video will not span across displays, 1
monitor only for DVD video playback. NTI has successfully tested
spanning other video formats across more than 4 displays in our
QuadStations.
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How
many displays can I have?
- Up to 12 with our
NTI QuadStation system, 4-8
with any other system.
- The limitation is
within WindowsXP which will only allow a maximum of 10 displays.
- Going beyond 10 is possible with our
systems. Contact us for details at 800.346.0732.
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FireMV and TV Tuner cards
- The FireMV line will work in conjunction with most ATI TV Tuner
cards, but it must be ATI.
- The TV Tuner card will "capture" the input signal from your TV
source and through your motherboard it channels to video to the OUTput
of one of your FireMV ports.
- FireMV is an OUTput card only. An INput card such as a TV Tuner card
will be needed to capture
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FireMV Graphic chipsets
-
2200PCIe = RV370
-
2200 PCI - RV280
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2400PCIe = M24
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2400PCI = M9
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Can I put more
than 1 FireMV card in the same system?
-
Yes. Our QuadStations support up to 3 FMV video
cards. We do not recommend attempting this yourself, allow us to build a
system for you. ATI nor NTI will provide support for 3 cards if
attempted by user. Our QuadStations of course comes with full support
from NTI.
-
You can only have a max of 2 PCI Express
cards in one system unless it is part of one of our QuadStations. If you
are installing multiple cards on your own use the PCI version of the
video cards.
-
Depending on your motherboard it does make a
difference which cards you would choose.
-
Contact our Sales Team at 800.346.0732
if you need help deciding or if you would like us to build a system for
you.
-
Only our trademark
QuadStation system can provide a 12 display system.
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FireMV and Docking Stations
Can I extend my
video cables with FireMV?
Can I create a Video Wall with
FireMV?
- Yes, but up to only 4 displays and it can not be TV or video. PC applications
such as PowerPoint are ok. See
Spanning Displays for more details.
- You can go beyond that as part of our QuadStation.
Network card conflict with
FireMV
- If your your network card becomes disabled after you install a
FireMV product this is a Microsoft issue and they have a fix for it. It
is not available for direct download for some unknown reason, you have
to call and have them email it to you and it expires in 7 days after
they send it to you.
- Call Microsoft HotFix rep at : 800.936.4900 option 0
- You will be connected with a MS HotFix rep you need to ask for
HotFix # KB890463
- They will ask you why you need the patch, be persistent tell them
the manufacturer told you to get it.
- They will email you a link to the HotFix which will expire in 7 days
so install right away.
TECHNOTE: We have asked Microsoft why they don't simply post this
HotFix on their site as our engineers have used it and recommended it with
perfect results. It resolves the network card conflict with FireMV and even
the older Xentera line of video cards. Why they make you just through these
hoops...who knows. It does not make sense but at least you have a way to get
it.
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Video card conflicts with
FireMV
- TECHNOTES: We have found that any NON ATI graphics adapter
whether onboard or on a separate card will have a conflict with the
FireMV line.
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Can I play games with a FireMV card
installed?
- The FireMV line of video cards are designed for business use in a 2D
environment. Although some games will play just fine on the FireMV
cards, more advanced games such as flight simulators etc which require
3D will not. However, you can combine a 3D gaming with a FireMV video
card and have the best of both worlds.
Contact us if you have any questions.
Which card should I choose?
- All the FireMV cards will give you the same multi monitor
functionality, some are just faster than others.
- The FireMV series comes in two basic profiles, PCI and PCI
Express (PCIe). Which card you choose depends on the type of slots
that you have available on your computer's motherboard. All computer
have at least one PCI slot, most new computers now have at least
one PCI Express slot but it depends when you purchased your
system so you have to check to make sure.
- PCI Express is faster, and slightly more expensive than PCI (for
more information on bus speeds click here).
-
There are different levels of PCI Express, referred to
as x1(by 1), x16(by 16) etc.
-
PCI Express slots are usually black,
PCI slots are usually white and if you have an older system,
AGP slots are usually brown in color. Note that some motherboards
may vary in color.
-
See picture below to determine which slot(s) you have
available on your motherboard keeping in mind that your existing video
card is normally removed so that slot may be available too and you may
have more than one of each. To do this you will have to pop the cover
off of your PC to get a look at your motherboard. (also see
FireMV Install Procedure)
- The slots that you have available will determine which video card(s)
you can use.
- You can install more than one FireMV card in the same system as long
as you have the available slots.
- In the FireMV line there are currently 2 different PCI
Express cards. The
FireMV 2200 PCIe which is a 2 port card with a x16
connector. To use this card you must have a x16 slot on your
motherboard.
- And the
FireMV 2400 PCIe which is a 4 port card with a x1 connector. To
use this card you must have a x1 slot on your motherboard. The x1
slot is about 1.5" long and usually black in color.
- If you have neither of these slots you can use the
FireMV 2400 PCI card. All computers have at least 1 PCI slot.
- Now that you have determined which slots you have available,
click
here to choose your FireMV video card. If you are still unsure at
this point, stick with the
FireMV PCI version it will always work.
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I am a trader, do
I need a 3D video card?
No. 3D will be useless in a trading environment as it will never be
tapped. The FireMV line is designed specifically for the financial industry
with very fast changes and layered multitasking capabilities. Pair that with
our Dual Core processor systems and that is as fast as it gets. This is the
basis by which our QuadStation was
designed.
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One large
screen or several regular size displays?
Q: I am inclined to use a single 30"
monitor rather than several smaller ones. Which way should I go?
A: You will get better results by
breaking it down into several monitors rather than demanding all that data
to a single video port. Think of it like spreading the system resources. The
end result will be plenty of screen real estate without putting all the
stress on a single video port.
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What version of DirectX do the FireMV video
cards use?
PCI Express x1 Slot and FMV Cards
- On any system other than a QuadStation you must install
the FMV 2400 PCI Express card in the x1 PCIe slot only.
- FMV 2200 PCI Express must be installed in the x16 slot only.
System
Compatibility (tested)
INCOMPATIBLE SYSTEMS
- Dell Optiplex GX620. Customers report that they could not get
the FMV cards to work in the PCI or the PCI Express slots on this
system. It has been reported in 11/06 that if the BIOS is updated to
version A10 this
system will work but has not been tested by NTI.
- Dell XPS400. Customers report that they could not get the FMV
cards to work in the PCI or the PCI Express slots on this system.
- Most Dells (all models) have some sort of issue with the FireMV
video cards particularly the PCIe versions, based on many reports and feedback by Dell customers.
COMPATIBLE SYSTEMS
- ALL
NTI
QuadStation Systems with up to 12 displays. No errors,
perfect harmony with all FMV products.
Contact
us to build one for you today.
Can I have 12 displays
with a single PC?
- Yes. NTI can build you a
12 display system with the FMV cards.
- Please contact us for a
free quote on our trademark QuadStation
Systems
today.
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FireMV and Core 2 Duo and QUAD Core Processors
- NTI can build a QuadStation based on the newest Core2Duo and
QuadCore processors up to 12 displays.
TECHNOTE: Note there is a big difference between the Intel
Pentium D (dual core) and the Core 2 Duo (dual core) processors.
The primary difference between the 2 processors is that the Core 2 Duo
has a 1066 FSB and from the E6600 series and higher, it has a
4M L2 Cache compared to the Pentium D which has a 2M L2 Cache
and a max of 800 FSB.
Intel states that the physical processor and die sets are exactly
the same it is only the FSB and the cache that is different between the 2
processors. Also note that there is now a Core 2 Duo EXTREME which
has up to 8M L2 Cache. For full details or to compare all Intel
processors visit this site:
http://indigo.intel.com/compare_cpu/default.aspx?familyID=1&culture=en-US
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Linux Drivers
FireMV and Window
XP 64bit Edition
- The drivers for the 64bit edition of XP have been release and
available for download from ATI-AMD's website at:
http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html
- Currently support only for the FireMV 2200/2250 PCI Express
version.
- The FMV 2400 series is in the works.
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FireMV
and Vista Support
- Yes you sure can. All of our video cards and QuadStations
are compatible with Windows Vista
- ATI/AMD has released drivers for the 32 and 64bit
editions of Vista for the FMV 2200/2250 PCI Express and FMV
2400 PCI Express versions.
- Download from ATI-AMD's website at:
http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html
- No support for PCI version under Vista
Will the
FireMV Quad Cards work in my system?
- Yes most likely. We have a Quad Card for just about any make or
model PC. Give us a call and we can help you decide.
- Please note customers have reported that most Dell systems have
issues with all PCI Express versions. For Dell systems use the
PCI version.
- If you are unsure
allow us to build a QuadStation for
you. Our complete multi monitor system shipped right to your door.
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DVD Movie
playback
- Some DVD decoder software may cause various conflicts with the FMV
cards.
- Contact your software vendor for assistance with this.
- NTI QuadStations do not have this
issue.
Can I run
multiple instances of Windows Media Player?
- According to Microsoft, for Windows Media Player 7 or later,
it is NOT possible to open multiple instances of the Player, although
you can embed multiple instances of Windows Media Player 7 or later in a
Web page. You can open multiple instances of Windows Media Player 6.4,
by doing the following:
> Click Start, click Run, and then type mplayer2.exe.
Windows Media Player 6.4 starts
> On the View menu, click Options, and then click the
Player tab
> Select the Open a new player for each media file played check
box
> Source:
www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/faq/customizing.mspx
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